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After 5 Years IM BACK!

09-28-2012, 07:48 PM

Hey everyone! Just wanted to say hello. I use to be on this site all the time about 5 years under the name of something like "ALC" (i dont remember my name or password!) Anyway.... Ill be resurrecting my business over the next few months. I miss it sooo much! Im a retail manager atm for a supermarket and just cant take it anymore! I gave up almost 100 accounts + $1000's in equipment! Its a long story that maybe ill fill you in because im sure you all are saying im crazy right about now! I know that im going to start off small like a newbie but at least I know how to get accounts quickly and what NOT to do the first time! Looking forward to chatting with you all! -ME

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Ahhh.... Funny how you would think I would be "Hitting the 'ole Pipe" !! LOL Not so.... I stopped mowing so I could take a Manager position with CVS. Good Pay and Whole Health insurance for my Family. When I quit mowing I had 98 Yearly accounts in which about 30 decided to go a different way and the other 60+ I handed off to my Father in Law to take over. I then Sold off all my equipment (which was stupid)!!! I averaged about $78/acct for Mow n Go service. This was 5 years ago actually this DECEMBER! I had a helper 2-3 days a week and did the rest either by myself or my wife would come along and ride the mower. She was a pro riding my Great Dane and also My Yard Shark.

I have since quit CVS and now work as an Asst. Manager at a High end Grocery store. Every day I go to work all I think is getting back out there and enjoying the weather and servicing my customers. I dont plan on financing anything so It will be about 2 months before Im all set with my equipment. My goal is this time next year to have about 30 to 50 residential accounts. (no low balling either)

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Its really no big secret honestly.... There are lots of media out there to use to advertise that I will use and there are certain ones I WONT use.. such as PHONE BOOK and throwing crap in peoples yards!! I'm pretty web savvy so building a very presentable website with high end search engine results will be my #1 resource. Its cheap, easy and super effective. A+ customer service and being prompt in replying to calls and showing up to bids is probably the most important. I found out that just showing up and letting people know that they can trust you will take care of their property will 9x outa 10 get you the account even if you are a bit higher in price. (they probably are looking for a new lawn company because they realized that saving $10-$20 a month did them no good!)

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Its really no big secret honestly.... There are lots of media out there to use to advertise that I will use and there are certain ones I WONT use.. such as PHONE BOOK and throwing crap in peoples yards!! I'm pretty web savvy so building a very presentable website with high end search engine results will be my #1 resource. Its cheap, easy and super effective. A+ customer service and being prompt in replying to calls and showing up to bids is probably the most important. I found out that just showing up and letting people know that they can trust you will take care of their property will 9x outa 10 get you the account even if you are a bit higher in price. (they probably are looking for a new lawn company because they realized that saving $10-$20 a month did them no good!)

I have to agree. I try to give quotes the same day, obviously depending on the time of the call/email when I get it. Trust is a MAJOR factor too, I got 6 accounts because of trust. If any customers call between 8am and 6pm, they will get a call back that same day...this goes for emails too.

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I have to agree. I try to give quotes the same day, obviously depending on the time of the call/email when I get it. Trust is a MAJOR factor too, I got 6 accounts because of trust. If any customers call between 8am and 6pm, they will get a call back that same day...this goes for emails too.

Yep. Android/Iphones are a must. Best practice is to check phone after each yard and Link your email to your phone and answer right away.

I have a day job but I will be nothing but honest with them that I have a job and full intentions of building a reputable business again. I might not be able to get to their house that minute but If im on my way home I will keep a LOGO'd polo in my car, throw that on and stop by on my way home.